Heisman Watch (Week 6)

With conference season beginning it's second week for most schools, we are starting to see players make their case to win the most prestigious award in college football.  Is this a week somebody makes their case to take a strong lead?  Or will we see more status quo?  How will the top games affect the race?  Did anybody emerge?

1. Marcus Mariota QB Oregon
Last Week:  16/27 355 yards 5 TDs, 43 rushing yards 2 TDs at Colorado (57-16) Next Week: at Washington
Summary:  For weeks Mariota was nipping on Boyd's heels for the top spot and finally takes over the top spot.  He did it with 598 and 7 touchdowns leading the Ducks in a route over Colorado.  Mariota has looked like a conductor of a symphony running their offense.  With Washington coming up next weekend, a good game could really give Mariota a strangle hold on the Heisman Race.

2. Tajh Boyd QB Clemson
Last Week:  20/27 455 yards 5 TDs 2 INT at Syracuse (49-14)  Next Week: vs Boston College
Summary:  Not too often do you throw for 455 yards and five touchdowns and you get knocked out of the top spot in the rankings.  But even with his good game here, it just wasn't enough to hold off Mariota for the top spot.  Boyd had a huge game, but he did it against Syracuse which was expected.  His two interceptions also didn't help.  Boyd has Boston College this next weekend, but Florida State coming up.  Gotta avoid that trap game.

3. Johnny Manziel QB Texas A&M
Last Week:  BYE Next Week:  at Mississippi
Summary:  It was a bye week for A&M and Manziel.  This gives them a chance to rest up and get ready for the stretch run in the SEC conference.  The Aggies are going to need Manziel to continue to put up his insane numbers because their defense is going to make every game a shootout.  This could help Manziel's case to win a second straight Heisman.  Or it could put too much pressure on his fragile psyche.  Can he handle it and put himself into rare category?

4.  Aaron Murray QB Georgia
Last Week:   19/35 196 yards 3 TDs, 53 rushing yards at Tennessee (34-31)  Next Week:  BYE
Summary:  For a player that has a reputation of shrinking in big games, Murray is doing his best to change that.  Against Clemson, South Carolina, and LSU Murray has put up huge numbers and won two of the three.  This week against Tennessee he didn't have great stats but he came through when needed.  His game tying drive at the end of regulation was clutch.  With only their game against Florida coming up, the Bulldogs should end the season with only one loss and right in the thick of the National Title race.  That should give Murray a great shot at winning the Heisman and silencing those critics that say he isn't a clutch player.

5. Lache Seastrunk RB Baylor
Last Week: 15 carries 172 yards 2 TDs vs West Virginia (73-42)  Next Week:  at Kansas State
Summary:  Another new face on the list is hoping to fulfill his own proficiency.  Before the season even begun, it was Seastrunk who stated he was going to win the Heisman this season.  And at the rate he's going, it could very well happen.  Against West Virginia he had 172 yards and averaged 11 yard per carry.  That's phenomenal.  Seastrunk is the main catalyst for the Bears offense and helping make a run for the conference title for the first time in school history.  Can he give them their second Heisman?